IN CONVERSATION WITH SARKAWT HAMAD

interview by MARIE-PAULINE CESARI

To kick off ADE, Numéro Netherlands Digital presents DJ Sarkawt Hamad, featured in this fashion story celebrating music, shot by Mikah and filmed by Niké, dressed in Samsøe Samsøe. Growing up in the Netherlands with a Kurdish-Iraqi family, Sarkawt was surrounded by music from an early age. She moved to Amsterdam at 17 to study fashion design, which shaped her unique approach to DJing, blending aesthetic storytelling with a wide range of sounds. Having played at iconic venues like De School and Garage Noord, as well as international festivals such as Dekmantel and Boiler Room, Sarkawt’s sets are known for weaving together euphoria and darkness, creating dynamic narratives that captivate the dancefloor.

Growing up in the Netherlands with a Kurdish-Iraqi family, how did your cultural background influence your initial passion for music?

I grew up surrounded by Kurdish and Arabic music. My mom was always singing at home, and she is really into music as well. As a kid, I loved Kurdish music. Apparently, when I was three, I would instantly start smiling and dancing whenever there was music playing, especially my favorite Kurdish songs.

You moved to Amsterdam at 17 to study fashion design. How did your education in fashion shape your approach to DJing and music creation?

I learned a lot about creative processes—how to bring an idea to a real product, how to make decisions, and how to create and work with concepts (or sometimes move away from them, which is also very important!). I learned how to tell stories and developed my artistic vision, which I can apply to music and music writing as well. I don’t think having a creative education is necessary, though. In the beginning, these experiences even blocked me, as I was only 17 when I started fashion school. But in the end, it helped me deepen my vision as an artist. I believe no knowledge is wasted time in that sense.

What were some of the pivotal moments or experiences at clubs like De School and Trouw that expanded your musicality and sense of sound?

In high school, I was really into rock music, dream pop, and grunge, and I dreamed of being in a band. I taught myself to play guitar and have been writing songs since I was a kid. Moving to Amsterdam opened the door to techno. There was a lot happening in 2014, and every weekend I’d check out lineups, listen on SoundCloud, and decide where to go. My first club experiences in the city were at Studio 80, Cruquiusgilde, and Trouw. I was hooked from the very first moment and wanted to learn more. Quickly, my entire vision of music changed.

Your sets balance both euphoria and darkness, combining a wide range of sounds and textures. How do you approach creating these dynamic narratives during your performances?

I’m really drawn to a certain sound, sometimes more than others—deep, atmospheric, blissful, but also cheeky. I like building toward sensory overload points, creating tension, and then breaking it open again with clearer tracks. It’s like breaking up a part of the set and moving on from it, almost like a new start that builds upon what came before. The flow can go from gritty to clean, from blissful and atmospheric to cheeky and light. I love experimenting with how far I can push that tension, always keeping the crowd, space, and lineup in mind. In the end, time and space are the framework.

You spent many years DJing at home before performing on stage. How did this impact your musical development and approach to DJing?

I had been DJing at home for many years before I started performing on stage indeed, so I really had time to experiment without worrying about a crowd, gigs, or what kind of DJ I should be. My musical development was completely free because I played with music for so long before performing publicly. I would play Nirvana and mix it with different genres. I had so much fun with it. The craziest things would happen, and that still excites me on stage. If I hear a certain element in a completely different track but it feels like a continuation, I don’t overthink it or worry about the genre—it’s all about the connection between the two. I believe that playfulness is important. It’s easy to lose that when you’re afraid of making mistakes.

How do you adapt your style for different performance environments, like big festivals versus intimate clubs? Do you find yourself layering items easily, especially during the Winter?

Being comfortable in what I’m wearing is so important to me. I get cold easily, so when I’m doing an opening set, I’m often simply wearing a sweater (with a nice outfit underneath just in case it gets hot). In terms of seasons, summer in the Netherlands is fun for layering too because it’s not always that warm, especially in the evenings. Summer is great when I want to go for something easy—just a top and shorts, with a jacket in my bag. I love it when clothes work together nicely by coincidence. I do love dressing up, though, and I come from a culture and family where it’s important to take care of that.

What’s your go-to look for a big festival or club performance? How do you combine comfort with style?

I love straight pants! A good pair works with literally everything—it’s comfortable and stylish. I combine them with corsets, lace tops, t-shirts, or sportswear. It can go from elegant to comfy, depending on what you want.

What role does storytelling play in your music, and how do you weave emotions and moods into your sets?

For me, a DJ set is another form of storytelling, a new narrative. Building the structure is like writing an essay—I have a point I want to make, and I give you arguments. Some are stronger than others, so I decide how to place them in the set. Do I start with the hardest or strongest point, maybe confusing people and making them walk away? Or do I build toward that strong point, creating layers and tension before reaching it? It often depends on how I feel. The only thing I plan in advance are the points I want to hit and move away from. The rest is about trusting my intuition.

What are some of your goals or dreams as both a DJ and an artist?

There’s so much for me to discover! I want to play abroad, spend more time in the studio, and try out different instruments and equipment. Hopefully, more of that will happen next year.

What advice would you give to young women or aspiring DJs who are just starting out in the industry? Stay true to yourself, have fun on your path, and trust your process.

This week at ADE, you can catch Sarkawt at multiple gigs, including the Rijksmuseum x ADE guided tour (17/10), Thuishaven (18/10), and the Audio Obscura x Innervisions party at Raw Factory (19/10). With her dynamic performances, she’s set to bring unforgettable energy to the festival!

TEAM CREDITS:
talent SARKAWT HAMAD
photography MIKAH DE WOLF
styling and production MARIE-PAULINE CESARI
hair and makeup XIU YUN YU
videography NIKÉ DANAE HUIBERTS
styling assistant EMMANUELLE PLANTIER
photography assistant THIJS DEJONG
full looks SAMSØE SAMSØE